Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1903 — Extracts from Presides Roosevelt’s Speech in Chicago. [ARTICLE]

Extracts from Presides Roosevelt’s Speech in Chicago.

We hold that our interests in this hemisphere are greeter than those of any European power possibly can be, and that our duty to ourselves and to the weaker republics who are our neighbors requires us to see that none of the greet military powers from across tbe seas shall encroach upon the territory of the American republice or acquire control thereover. This policy, therefore, not only forbids us to acquiesce in such territorial acquisition, but alro causes us to object to the acquirement of a control which would in its effect be equal to territorial aggrandizement. This is why the United States has steadily believed that the construction of the great isthmian canal • • • should be done by no foreign nation, but by us. The ever growing influence of the United States in the western hemisphere • » • has exemplified the firm purpose of thd United States that its growth and influence and power shall redound not to the harm, but to the benefit, of eur sister republics whose strength Is less. Our growth, therefore, is beneficial to humankind in general. We do not Intend to assume any position which can give just offense to out neighbors. Our adherence to the rule of human right is not merely profession. The Monroe doctrine is not International law, and though I think one day it may become .such, this is not necessary as long as it remains a cardinal featnre of our foreign policy and as long as we possess both the will and the strength to make it effective. I believe in the Monroe doctrine with all my heart and soul; I am convinced that the immense majority of our fellow countrymen so believe in it; but I would infinitely prefer to see us abandon it than to see us put it forward and blUßter about it, and yet fail to build up the efficient fighting strength which in the last resort can alone make it respected by any strong foreign power whose interest it may ever happen to be to violate it. Boasting and blustering are ns objectionable among nations as among in : dividuals. But, though to boast is bad, and causelessly to insult another worse, yet worse than all is to be guilty of boasting, even without insult, and when called to the proof to be unable to make such boasting good. There is a homely old adage which runs: “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” If the American nation will speak softly, and yet buijd, and keep at a pitch of the highest framing, a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe doctrine will go far. We wish a powerful and efficient navy, not for purposes of war, but as the surest guaranty of peace.